Southern Cross Drive Reserve

Southern Cross Drive Reserve is a long, narrow grassy strip running alongside the motorway between Gardeners Road and Epsom Road. It is a City of Sydney 24/7 off-leash reserve, and its shape makes it a straight-line running and fetch spot rather than a milling social park.

The rules. Off-leash is permitted at all hours across the reserve. There is a high safety fence along the Southern Cross Drive motorway side, but the local street side is open, so this is not an enclosed park. Reliable recall is essential here. You must pick up after your dog, and bags are not always stocked, so bring your own.

What's there. Mature trees give shade over some bench seating, and there are waste bins on-site. There is no lighting, so treat it as a daytime park, and no dog water, so carry your own bowl.

Getting there. The reserve runs off Gardeners Road. Street parking is best on the local streets, with Dalmeny Avenue a reliable bet. Buses run along Gardeners Road, and it is a walk from Green Square station.

Nearby with the dogs. The Cannery precinct is a short walk for dog-friendly cafes and outdoor tables once your dog has run off the energy.

Early mornings and 5pm to 7pm are the busy stretches. For a quieter run, mid-morning on a weekday is best, and because the strip is narrow, walk its length to find space away from the entry points where dogs tend to gather.

Sources

• Southern Cross Drive Reserve - City of Sydney · cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.